THE CITIZEN INDEX

Wednesday, December 26, 2012

REAL WOMEN: Wear Red Lipstick

According to the Nurture Replenish Skincare survey, red lipstick
is disgraceful after the age of 59. Moreover, results showed that women
over 45 years old consider 59 is the appropriate age to steer away not
only from wearing red lipstick, but also from high heels and tight
clothes. (source)

Did you read the poll survey results reported on Yahoo recently- the one where a survey of women over 45 years of age, said that wearing red lipstick over age 59 was disgraceful? You can read the report HERE, and while many people react angrily about the news, I suspect the main point is missed:

that this survey reported the opinion of older women about other older women. Opinions about dignity and what's proper formed the consensus that at age 59, it is best to "go natural," to stop fighting the clock, and stop wearing body conscious clothing, bold prints, and bold colors- in essence, go invisible.

That is what SOME women think. Some. But you and I happen to know a lot of other women, some who are older than 59, who don't subscribe to that point of view. Quite the contrary- there are loads of stylish women who not only wear red lipstick, they wear it, or intend to wear it well into their 70's. Or beyond. Which is good news for me- a forty-something somebody who loves her red lippy. So I thought I'd post some of my favorite images of "REAL WOMEN" who rock red lipstick, mini skirts and tight clothes, even though according to the poll, they shouldn't. But looking at the riot of color, and style, I'm thinking that they make a good argument on "DOING THE DON'TS."

So here's a list of rules you are welcome to make, or break, whatever makes YOU feel happy.

Random Fashion Rules for Women Age 59+ Older:

WEAR CLOTHES THAT MAKE YOU FEEL GOOD. Figure flattering, curve hugging or loose-y and goosey- just wear what puts a smile on your face.

WEAR BOLD COLORS AND PRINTS: Make an entrance and command attention and embrace your style and age by enjoying brights that make you feel beautiful.

STAY UP TO DATE, YET REMAIN TRUE TO YOURSELF: If you want to follow a trend, go ahead. If you want to stick to mom jeans, bedazzled sweaters or biker chic leather jackets, and it makes you feel good, stick with what you like. If you want to play, have fun with fashion and wear a tutu as a skirt at age 60, rock it. Sartorial septuagenarian (and undisputed fashion designer extraordinaire) Vivienne Westwood, has been known to wear platform shoes and body con clothing. IN HER SEVENTIES. WITH HER 25 YEARS HER JUNIOR HUSBAND. AND ROCKS IT. Proving that as long as your dress reflects yourself, and you rock, you just can't go wrong.

WEAR RED LIPSTICK: If red lipstick is your thing, wear it, no matter your age. Or its equivalent, which is whatever thing is that makes YOU feel like you: purple eyeshadow, a sequin top, platform shoes, ugly sweaters, short shorts or long flowing dresses. Celebrate yourself and your style however you see fit!

My favorite "rules" come from one of my favorite rule breakers. Vix aka The Vintage Vixen is always railing against some ridiculous rule put forward by well meaning mavens who espouse their beige advice like "hide your upper arms," "don't wear white after Labor Day" or "don't wear mini skirts." Her reaction almost always includes gorgeous outfit posts showing her breaking the rules, and looking fabulous doing so. She, among others, prove real style, in a way those stodgy mavens miss: REAL WOMEN don't rely on rules but on what works. If you can rock a mini, a sleeveless shirt, red lipstick, or a pair of high heels, then do so. REAL WOMEN WEAR WHATEVER THE HECK THEY WANT.

Gracefully Disgraceful: Desiree is the Poster Child on How to Wear What Not to Wear. She Rocks. And Wears Red Lippy.

Getting older doesn't have to mean giving up your fashion flair. In fact, let me make a case FOR tight tops, mini skirts, bright colors and red lipstick by saying REAL WOMEN WEAR RED LIPSTICK. At age 59. And skinny minis, and maxi skirts, and clashing prints, and short hair, or long hair, or anything else they feel like wearing, because it makes them feel good. And the people I most love to watch are people who dress with character and panache, often times are breaking the rules while making a big, bold and beautiful fashion statement.

So, go ahead andwear red lipstick. Real women (of all ages) do.

What fashion rules do you like to make, or break? Share them in the comments.

Love this post, Bella...great job! Yes, real women set their set of rules and don't worry about the ones set by people who do not know us! I don't think we are suppose to wear leggings either...but I love em! Forget the supposed "rules."

OMG! I was composing a comment about how much I agree with your ideas when -- bang! -- there are my legs! What a nice surprise. Thanks for letting me support your post in a visual way. It's a terrific message.

Beauty knows no boundaries of age, weight, size, gender, race, income or anything else. I'm thankful for all the great style blogs out there that continually inspire me to try new things. I'm almost 50 and enjoy having fun with fashion as much as ever!

I saw this survey and knew that at least one of the bloggers who I follow would take issue with it. Thanks for featuring so many fabulous, gorgeous, inspiring women in your post. At age 52, I like having long salt and pepper hair and wearing short skirts and purple paratrooper boots. I'll never look 'elegant' or 'refined' or 'dignified' but I'll be me.

I'm in total agreement with you, Bella! I keep getting older but my taste in make-up and clothes hasn't changed much. As long as a certain cosmetic or style of clothing looks good on a woman, I think she should continue to wear it. We're no dummies - we know what looks good and makes us feel good!Rock on!Donnawww.prettysparklythings.blogspot.com

Huge bear hug, Bella! These women make me want to do a jig - they are AWESOME and I feel like giggling in their company. You are certainly at the top of the list for your own style and all things bold, bright and brave. This is the perfect thing to feast my eyes on after crawling out from work overload. Hugs, again.

Yay! Rules are stupid! Clothes are coverings for our bodies until we die. So we might as well be as fabulous as possible while covering our bits! Thanks for including me, Bella - it's an honour to be in such wonderful company! HUGS! Sarah xxx

I think if you wore red lipstick when you were younger and it looked good, then wear it when your older if you like. I hate following rules. For me personally, I never liked red lipstick on myself so I don't ever consider wearing it now that I'm 52. There are so many mature women that look fabulous in red, I'm just not one of them I guess.

This is a brilliant post.I think that a lot of people never had the confidence or the guts to wear whatever they felt like ever in their lives and it just gets worse with age, because now they'll have the excuse to bully others into following their ridiculous rules.

So much fabulous in one blog post, Bella!!! Well done! So many amazing bloggers, many already my favourites, and I love Une femme's and Mrs. D's comments too. Fantastic shift away from judgement and appearance-policing and toward celebration!

What a frigging honour to be included in amongst these legendary, fierce women.Here's nothing to be gained by conforming and following these ridiculous "rules". Sod what the rest of the world thinks, it's our life & our body and we're a long time dead!You rule! xxxxxxxx

What an honor to be included amidst photos of truly brilliant bloggers who I admire, respect and applaud. Love this post and everything you have to say about style and aging. Brilliant ode to living life to the fullest! Thank you Bella!

Great post! I'd be bored as I aged if I couldn't express myself through style. And one of the best ways to feel better if we're under the weather is to wear lipstick! And a cute hat if we're having a bad hair day. ;)I use to think certain hats I owned might be inappropriate as I'm getting older. But after blogging a while, and especially after following Advanced Style, I now know what BS that is. Life is short, live bold!

Oh, hell who makes up these rules? The only thing that may steer a woman away from red is that dark colors can run into lip lines. There are so many products on the market to prevent this .. wear RED if you like it!!!

hurrah for red lipstick and for your Wise Words about the rules and dress codes!! Love that Real Women make their own rules and create their own style!!, I would like to be a Real Woman, I'm trying it indeed!besos & rojo

some of my favourite ladies here! You're all inspirational. I find it depressing that women approaching 30 start limiting themselves, I've been guilty of it, but like you said, as there's a difference between feeling good in an outfit and thinking it's too old for you

Fark YES!!!Great post Bella darling. I am so frigging irritated by these bloody rules.Who makes them?! Someone trying to keep us in our place, no doubt.Stuff that, I fully expect to be breaking more than 10 rules today, and now you've got me thinking about it, I might just get my gander up and go for 15.Bahahaha!Much love,doll,and Happy Holidays to you and your darling from G and I!XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Felicidades en el nuevo ano Bella y gracias por todos tus comentarios tan lindos cuando yo no estaba escribiendo en mi blog.Who are these women (on the survey)? and why are they putting age limits on fashion and beauty choices? If you make it to 59 and beyond you earn the rights to dress and paint your face or your body anyway you want to.

Bella, thank you so much for including me in this brilliant post! You've done a fabulous job illustrating that rules are made to be broken, especially rules about what to wear after a certain age. Red lipstick, mini skirts, bold colours, love 'em all, and will keep loving them! I am thrilled to be in such awesome company and will definitely share the link on my blog.

Red is my favorite color in the world! Can't imagine giving it up--ever. Style rules are just about the silliest thing going. Every style rule I've ever read online I've seen broken on the street. I wear what makes me look and feel the best on me. It works for me.

I need more red in my life, tight clothes, mini skirts and color! I love that not only are we ok with our age, but we friggin own it! Great post Bella dear and thnks for adding me to some fabulous women!

geez, aren't "rules" awful?!?! i think part of the problem is that women are also encouraged to hide their personalities as they get older- don't laugh too much in public! don't make passes at men! don't get so excited!- and so they feel that they have to tone down the look to match the toned-down self. you know my mantra? F*CK IT! ha ha ha!

I don't know how I managed to miss the heinous survey. I've just had a rant on my own blog about ageism among the ageing and the annoyingness of fashion rules. They can prise my Mac Russian Red out of my cold, dead paws!

Such a wonderful post! I love to encourage people to break rules as well when it comes to fashion. Rules tell people what they shall not do, they frighten people. If more people would be like this amazing ladies on the pictures, I am convinced our world would be happier, the streets more colourful. Thank you for this wonderful post, it's an ode to diversity, tolerance and courage! Love, Sara xx

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